Red Cross Urges Earthquake and Disaster Preparedness Now

Sedona AZ – The American Red Cross Southwest urges everyone to make sure they are prepared for a disaster like earthquakes and not wait until an emergency occurs and it’s too late.

An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning, and they can occur at any time of the year, day, or night.

Everyone knows the Red Cross helps people during emergencies. But you may not know that it’s also part of our mission to help you help yourself!

Becoming “Red Cross Ready” for an emergency means following our simple steps in advance to ensure you can weather a crisis safely and comfortably.

Try to protect your head and torso. If you are sitting at a desk or table, get under it. Otherwise, drop wherever you are.

If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on. Protect your head with a pillow.

Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit.

If you must leave a building after shocking stops, use stairs rather than an elevator in case of aftershocks, power outages or other damages.

Before you leave any building check to make sure that there is no debris from the building that could fall on you.

If you are outside, find a clear spot away from buildings, power lines, trees, and streetlights. Drop to the ground and stay there until the shaking stops.

In you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Then, drive carefully, avoiding bridges and ramps that may have been damaged.

If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out. Wait for assistance.

If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rocks and other debris. Landslides are often triggered by earthquakes.

After an earthquake, expect and prepare for potential aftershocks. Anytime you feel an aftershock, drop, cover and hold on. Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks, and even months following an earthquake.

Also prepare for potential landslides, or a tsunami if you live in a coastal area.

Southwest Area Incident Management has assumed command of the Museum Fire near Flagstaff AZ. The county will continue to manage the evacuations of residents told to leave. Flagstaff Fire Department, Summit Fire Department, medical crews and USFS are working together to manage the fire. The County is also alerting residents to the threat of floods and possible flood evacuation warnings that would cause residents to be ordered to evacuate. Cell service might be affected if the fire reaches Mt. Elden signal towers.

States of Emergency for Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff declared.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce lifting the evacuation of the residents living on the Elden Lookout Road.

The Southwest Incident Management Team that is managing the Museum Fire has determined that the status and condition of the fire at this time is no longer an imminent threat to the Elden Lookout Road area and has recommended allowing residents back into their homes.

Residents returning to the Elden Lookout Road area will return to a “Set” status. The Incident Management Team reminds all residents that the conditions and status of the fire could change at any time resulting in a return to a “Set” or “Go” (evacuation) status.

The Sheriff’s Office will begin the re-entry of the Elden Lookout Road residents at 1:00 pm today (Wednesday, July 24). Evacuated residents are instructed to report in person to Deputies staged at Sechrist School (2230 N Fort Valley Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001). Residents will be required to show identification verifying their address. Residents will be provided informational packets advising them of ongoing air operations and current forest closures.

The verification point for re-entry at Sechrist School will be open from 1:00 – 6:00 pm. Residents who are unable to go to Sechrist School during those hours will need to check in with law enforcement at the roadblock located at Hwy 180 and Schultz Pass Road for verification.

Only residents will be allowed back into the Elden Lookout Road area. All members of the public are reminded to be mindful and cautious of the increase in traffic in firefighting apparatus and closure of the forest in and around the fire area.

Drones of any kind are prohibited from flying over the area. When an unidentified aircraft, manned or unmanned, is sighted in the fire area, all air operations must shut down immediately. This poses significant risk to fire personnel and suspends crucial air suppression tactics.

Saw this on your link above. I think everyone ought to have it to see. Hope you agree.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, fire fighters can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

At this time our team is on the ground, focused on supporting the community, and will not be providing interviews related to the tragic shooting in El Paso. Please see the following statement regarding our current response. [Mike Sagara for the Southwest American Red Cross]

Our hearts go out to all those who are affected by the tragic shooting in El Paso, Texas. The Red Cross is working in close coordination with emergency officials to provide comfort and support now. The Red Cross is supporting the family assistance center and mobilizing mental health volunteers. Over the coming days, the Red Cross will continue to coordinate closely with local officials and community partners to determine how we can best support the El Paso community and the loved ones of those who have been harmed.

We understand that people around the country want to help and we appreciate that support. Right now, the Red Cross has what it needs to support this event. While we do not typically serve hospitals in this area of Texas, the Red Cross stands ready to provide blood and blood products as needed in response to this tragedy.

Volunteer blood donors are needed each and every day to help save lives. This tragedy illustrates that it is the blood already on the shelves that helps during an emergency. Unfortunately, fewer blood donors and blood drives during the summer months make it one of the most challenging times of the year for blood and platelet donations. The Red Cross is grateful for all donors who generously give blood throughout the country.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.